Metro News & Reviews

This Weekend: Bus shuttles replace trains at some Blue Line stations due to upgrade work

A flatbed delivers a new canopy for installation at Compton Station. Photo by Jame Wei/Metro.

A new canopy is lifted into place at Compton Station. Photo by James Wei/Metro.

Upgrade work on the Metro Blue Line continues this weekend, with crews making station improvements at Compton this Friday evening and Saturday. As with previous stations, Compton will receive new canopies, paint, tile and audio/visual enhancements. On Sunday, vital track work will be performed between Wardlow and Del Amo Station.

The following service changes will be in affect this weekend on the Metro Blue Line as work occurs. Friday, Mar. 27 after 9 p.m. through Saturday, Mar. 28 close of service, bus shuttles will replace rail service between Willowbrook and Del Amo Station. This means southbound Blue Line trains will return north to 7th Street/Metro Center at Willowbrook, and trains originating in Downtown Long Beach Station will travel only as far north as Del Amo. Customers wishing to travel between Willowbrook and Del Amo Station will need to board Metro bus shuttles (marked as “Blue Line Shuttle”) in order to do so. Please note that owing to the extended distance in bus shuttles, extra time will be required for trips between Willowbrook and Del Amo.

On Sunday, Mar. 29, bus shuttles will replace Blue Line rail service between Artesia and Wardlow Station until 7 p.m. After 7 p.m., rail service will resume to all stations on both tracks.

Customers will also want to be aware of the following changes to Metro Blue and Expo Line service levels this weekend. These changes can additionally be found on our Planned Service Advisories page on Metro.net.

To begin, this Friday after 8:30 p.m., Blue Line will run every 15 minutes until close of service. Expo Line will also run every 15 minutes until close, beginning at approximately 8 p.m.

Finally, on Sunday, Blue Line will run every 20 minutes and Expo Line every 15 minutes until 7 p.m.

Many are already aware that adjustments to Blue Line service this year have been, and will continue to be, necessary for the completion of the Blue Line Upgrades project, a $1.2-billion overhaul including station improvements, track replacement/refurbishment, and even, eventually, new rail cars. Some of the upgrades have already been completed at stations between Artesia and the Long Beach Loop, and will continue to move north along the Blue Line throughout 2015. The estimated wrap-up date for the entire project is sometime this fall.

That being said, Metro recognizes that these service changes can be a nuisance, and would like to say thank you to all affected customers. The end goal to keep in mind is a safer, more reliable, and re-vamped Metro Blue Line for years to come.

As construction can be a dynamic process, please check back here at The Source, or follow us @metrolosangeles or @metrolaalerts for the latest Blue Line service updates.